Lifter.



Patented. Tune 9, 1993;

PATENT OFFICE.

VVILL IAM HENRYTIENDRIX, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

LIIFTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,370, dated 0.119 9, 1903. Application filed September 2, 1902. herial No. 121,891. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLLiM HENRY HEN- DRIX, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in lifters, and has reference to a portable device of this class adapted to facilitate the placement and removal of articles of merchandise relatively to elevated shelves in stores.

The object of this invention is the production of a simple and eiiicient device by which articles of merchandise may be readily placed on an elevated shelf and removedtherefrom without necessitating the use of step-ladders or the like and the embodiment of essential features of adaptability, utility, and general efficiency which render the device easy to op crate and broadens the scope of its usefulness.

The above-mentioned and numerous other objects equally desirable are attained by the construction, combination,and arrangement of parts as described on the accompanying drawings, set forth in this specification,

and succinctly pointed out in the appended claims.

With reference to the drawings filed herewith and bearing like reference characters for corresponding parts throughout, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the device shown on small scale. Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of one of the jaws thereof removed and drawn on large scale; and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the stem of the device, taken substantially midway its length;

This lifting device comprises a suitable stem, as 10, of extended length, and a pair of jaws 12, suitably operably mounted at one end thereof, so that they can be opened and closed from the opposite end of the stem, whereby the lifter can be employed by the operator to grasp articles and lift them up to or down from a shelf. In the present embodiment the stem 10 comprises two parallel sections 11 of equal length and substantially rectangular in cross section connected by longitudinallydisposed pivot-joints conveniently embodied in suitable hinges, as 14:, one pair of which is arranged adjacent each end of the stem and one pair substantially midway their length. These hinges are removably fastened in place by suitable screws or the like, with the leaves against the outer side surfaces of the stemsections and the pintles at the inner edge thereof, so that these sections may be swung laterally to open or close them relatively to of a rectangular section of plate metal having a portion of one end bent at right angles to conveniently form a foot 16 and the main portion bent at a slight curveto conveniently render the active surface of the jaw concave to broaden the scope of application of the device, and a suitable covering or facing, as 17, of felt, rubber, or the like, is conveniently secured on this surface to keep the metal from coming in contact with the articles to be lifted, and thereby protect them and increase the grip of the jaws. These jaws are conveniently fastened in place on respective stem-sections byscrews passed through screwapertures, as 18, formed in the feet 16, and they are suitably formed to normally lie with the outer ends resting together when the stem-sections are closed.

' It will be understood that the stems 10 may be formed of anydesired length conforming to the height above the floor that it is desired to lift articles, deducting therefrom the height of person of average height, and that the contour of the active surface or face of the jaws can be varied to conformto any desired shape.

To use the device for lifting an article to place it upon a shelf or the like, the jaws are closed upon the article and the lifter projected in the desired direction, and when the article is in place the jaws are opened by swinging the stem-section apart. When it is desired to take down an article, the jaws of the device are opened, placed over the article, and then closed to grip the article and held in closed position until the article is brought within reach of the hand of the operator.

This lifter is exceedingly useful in handling canned goods, lamp-chimneys, or the like articles. It is simple of construction and operation, durable in use, and has few parts likely to get out of order. Furthermore, it can be readily constructed at comparatively little cost, as the stems can be composed of wood and handles and hinges of ordinary construction employed, While the jaws can be readily formed from plate metal, and when desired to pack a number of these lifters for transportation the handles and jaws can be readily removed from the stem for more compact arrangement in packing, or should any of the parts become unfit for proper use they can be readily replaced.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is

1. A lifter of the nature indicated; comprising a stem composed of parallel sections of extended length, hinges connecting the sections with the pintles disposed longitudinally thereof, a handle at one end of each section and removably connected thereto, and oppositely-disposed laterally-projecting jaws removably connected to said sections at the opposite ends of said sections.

2. A lifter of the nature indicated; comprising a stem composed of parallel sections of extended length, hinges connecting the sections and removably secured to one side face with the pintles disposed longitudinally thereof, a laterally-projecting handle removably secured on the opposite side face of each section at one end, and oppositely-disposed laterally-projecting jaws at the opposite end of said sections each formed with a concaved face and removably secured to a respective section on the same side as said handles.

3. A lifter of the nature indicated; comprising stem composed of parallel sections of extended length, hinges connecting the sections and secured to one side face with the pintles disposed longitudinally thereof, a laterally-projecting handle on the opposite side face of each section at one end, and oppositelydisposed laterally-projecting jaws at the opposite end of said sections each formed of a rectangular section of plate metal with one end portion bent at right angles to form a foot and the main portion bent to a slight curve, and secured to a respective section on the same side as said handles, and a protective covering on the face of each jaw.

Signed at Seattle, WVashington, this 28th day of July, 1902.

VILLIAM HENRY HENDRIX.

l/Vitnessesz WV. PARRY SMITH, A. M. SPRINGER. 

